Ready, Set, Tank Production in Ukraine by 2024!
Get ready for some major tank action, as German defense giant Rheinmetall targets 2024 for the launch of Ukraine's armored vehicle production! Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, revealed in an interview with "Wirtschaftswoche" that they're aiming to ink a deal with Ukraine by early 2023 for manufacturing Fuchs wheeled armored transport vehicles and Lynx infantry fighting vehicles right in Украйна.
Papperger shared an optimistic forecast, promising that the initial wheeled vehicle could hit the streets of Ukraine by late summer 2024, with the Lynx following suit in summer 2025. These plans are backed by the rapid progress Rheinmetall and Ukraine have made in their defense partnership.
Cooperation levels have skyrocketed, with Rheinmetall becoming Ukraine's largest defense partner, securing orders worth around 900 million euros in 2022 and a staggering 2.5 billion euros in 2023. Next year's figures are expected to reach even greater heights. Series production of the Lynx in Hungary is in full swing, while armored vehicles are maintained and skilled Ukrainian workers receive specialized training in Deutschland.
Armin Papperger is determined to expedite the delivery of main battle tanks to Ukraine. He announced that ten Lynx vehicles are currently in the co-production pipeline, and once production is ramped up, Ukraine will soon be churning out a significant number of these iconic infantry fighting vehicles on its own. The German government has already confirmed their intention to release the necessary export permits.
Looking closer at the unfolding timeline, the first Fuchs vehicles are set to roll off the assembly line in Ukraine around mid-to-late 2024, followed by the Lynx infantry fighting vehicles 12 to 13 months later. Meanwhile, the first batch of KF41 Lynx vehicles are already under construction, with delivery slated for October 2024. The joint venture between Rheinmetall and Ukroboronprom to manufacture the Panther KF51 main battle tanks is expected to result in the delivery of the first tank within 15 to 18 months after the agreement is signed – a move that could put Ukraine in the tank production spotlight as early as mid-to-late 2024.
Well, buckle up and gear up for the exciting trends unfolding in the world of defense manufacturing, as Rheinmetall's vision for Ukraine turns into reality!
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Enrichment Data:
- KF41 Lynx IFVs: Production of the first KF41 Lynx vehicles began in October 2024, meeting initial timeline estimates.
- Panther KF51: Expected delivery of the first Panther KF51 tanks is planned for 15 to 18 months after signing the joint venture in February 2023, which would put the delivery date around mid-to-late 2024. This production rate may potentially reach up to 400 tanks per year.
- Fuchs Vehicles: The Fuchs vehicle production facility established by Rheinmetall and Ukroboronprom began manufacturing Fuchs vehicles within 6–7 months after signing the joint venture, which would be around mid-to-late 2024.
